Mauga, who police say physically restrained Tuinei with the help of two others, did not testify Thursday because of the possibility of an assault charge being filed against him. Judge Barbara Takase committed Tuinei’s case to 3rd Circuit Court…

So I know what I would do if I were the girl’s “uncle” and I’m sure many of us would do the same thing… I won’t say it publicly… but I think we all know what I’m thinking!

Video featuring Federal Employees jokes about never being under Inspector General Investigation, Lavish GSA Spending

The video clips below are from the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) October 2010 Western Region Conference in Las Vegas, NV. It was played on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the “Capstone Dinner Event.”

“Obama better prepare, when I’m Commissioner.I’d have a road show like [Acting Regional GSA Administrator for Region Jeffrey] Neely, every time you see me rolling on 20s yeah, in my GOV.Spend BA 61 on all fun.ATF can’t touch GS-15 guns!Cause I buy everything your field office can’t afford.Every GS-5 would get a top hat award.Donate my vacation, love to the nation,I’ll never be under OIG investigation.”

A quick view of his Facebook profile gave me the following picture of his profile picture and states that he went to a High School outside of Hawaii.

This week, 52 students from East Hawai‘i started spring internships with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Youth Internship Program, part of the National Park Service’s Youth Partnership Program.

Ka‘ū High School Youth Internship Program participants

One goal of the program is to train and hire 32 students to work part-time at Hawai‘i Volcanoes this summer. Some will become park rangers, others will work as cultural and natural resources staff, or join the protection team. But the deeper purpose of the program is for the park to provide the opportunity for youth to acquire the values, competencies and skills needed to become successful, contributing adults.

The Youth Internship Program (YIP) gives island youth a chance to learn about the precious natural and cultural resources that the park protects, and the numerous recreational opportunities the park offers. The students share their newly gained insight and appreciation with hundreds of thousands of park visitors during the busy summer months.

Park Ranger and Youth Internship Program graduate, Tyler Atwood,a senior at Ka‘ū High School

One of the program’s success stories is Ka‘ū High senior Tyler Atwood, 18, who participated in the YIP program last year and now works part-time at Hawai‘i Volcanoes as a park ranger. He uses words like “transformed” and “newfound respect” when describing his experience.

“Before, I used to see trees and that’s it. Now each individual tree has a name and a story to go along with it. I now look at the forests, beaches, volcanoes and stars with complete appreciation,” Atwood said.

Three years ago, park staff listened carefully to community leaders who implored them to “do something for the teens.” Park Ranger Kūpono McDaniel took it to heart and the first year he and his staff mentored a dozen students from Ka‘ū High. This year, thanks to an increase in project funding, high school students in Puna and college students from the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College, have landed internships.

Although fun and meaningful, the program is no walk in the park, so to speak. There’s nine weeks of structured training, followed by individual assessment, and for those who make it, the thrill of donning their own flat hat and green-and-gray park service uniform. Other positive outcomes include personal growth, employability, civic involvement, and intellectual and physical health.

University of Hawaii-Hilo Youth Internship Program participants, left to right: Kanoa Severson, Melissa Adams, Allison Cornett, and Meghann Decker

“We’ve had overwhelming support from all sectors of the community,” McDaniel said. “From the schools, to the students, parents, leaders, and the increasing number of organizations committed to helping us fund the program, the program has been very well received,” he said.

Supporting organizations include the National Park Service, the Omidyar ‘Ohana Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, the Edmund C. Olson Trust, Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and Ka‘ū, Pāhoa and Kea‘au high schools.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has begun work to create a new linear park around the mauka exterior slope of the Diamond Head State Monument that will consist of an accessible multi-use pathway, picnic and rest areas along its 1.3-mile length.

A blessing ceremony for the pathway was held Wednesday at the park led by Kahu Curt Kekuna and attended by Governor Neil Abercrombie, legislators, and representatives of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kapi‘olani Community College, Diamond Head Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and the state Department of Defense (which shares management and jurisdiction of Diamond Head State Monument).

Governor Abercrombie said: “Diamond Head, also known as Le‘ahi, is an iconic monument recognized and associated with Hawai‘i around the world. Each year, thousands of visitors arrive by foot, car, bus or trolley to see the volcanic crater and climb its historic summit trail, which offers panoramic views of Waikiki, O‘ahu’s southern coastline and the Ko‘olau and Wai’anae mountains.

“Over the past 10 years, DLNR has invested in enhancements to this world-famous destination that balance stewardship of the valuable natural asset with maintaining access for kama‘aina and visitors.”

In addition to conducting rockfall mitigation projects for increased safety along the crater interior and exterior, DLNR has worked to improve the park inside the crater. This has included renovation of the parking lot; installation of a visitor kiosk with interpretive signage, completion of a new comfort station, trail stabilization, the addition of tunnel and spiral staircase lighting, improvements to the summit viewing area, and a just-completed loop trail section that better directs the flow of more than 600,000 hikers every year.”

The commencement of work on the new Fort Ruger Pathway is the first element of the state’s Diamond Head State Monument Master Plan Update, which can now move forward with the help of more than $1.3 million designated for the project by the state Legislature.

The pathway, which will be completed by November 2012, will provide residents and visitors an accessible multi-use path along the exterior slopes of the monument. Currently, there is no sidewalk along much of Diamond Head Road. At areas where a sidewalk exists, it consists of a narrow 3-4 foot-wide sidewalk for use by pedestrians, walking from Waikiki-area hotels to visit the park and its historic summit hike.

“We are pleased to be carrying out the long-awaited installation of the Diamond Head linear park on the slopes where Fort Ruger once stood,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR Chairperson. “This day is made possible thanks to the support of Governor Abercrombie, the Legislature and community partners who helped us formulate the vision for Diamond Head that is laid out in the master plan. The pathway and surrounding areas will encompass 12 acres that will beautify the natural landscape and provide recreational opportunities for walkers and bicyclists. There will also be interpretive signs to share the history of the former Fort Ruger Military Reservation in this area.

“In the future, we are hopeful that we will be able to accomplish the other elements of the master plan that will help us better share this significant cultural, geological and historical site as a leading destination in Hawai‘i.”

With additional funding of $700,000 from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the DLNR Division of State Parks will later install irrigation and landscaping with appropriate native plant species.

Diamond Head State Monument encompasses more than 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater. It receives approximately 600,000 visitors annually and ranks among one of the top visitor destinations.

I am on exchange to the college in Hilo on da Big Island of Hawaii, My roomate and I decided to do some crazy trick shots, took like 10 hours and was well worth it. Filmed at UH Hilo with my Canon Rebel